Programme Specification for
BA Film and Television
Technical Arts
1. Programme title
2. Awarding institution
3. Teaching institution
4. Programme accredited by
5. Final qualification
6. Academic year
7. Language of study
8. Mode of study
BA Film and Television Technical Arts
Middlesex University
Middlesex University
Middlesex University
BA Honours
2012/13
English
Full time
9. Criteria for admission to the programme
Requirement of 240 tariff points.
We also accept students who have passed appropriate access courses and mature
students with a wide variety of backgrounds.
Students whose first language is not English must have an overall IELTS score of at
least 6.0 . Students who score less than 6.0 on any component are strongly
recommended to take the appropriate Middlesex University preparation programme.
Direct entry to level 2 of the programme is considered on a case-by-case basis.
There is normally no direct entry at level 3.
10. Aims of the programme
The programme aims to:
Provide students with a thorough exploration of the exciting range of
technique and artistry present within modern television and cross media
production for traditional broadcast and new media delivery. To allow
students to discover and experiment with the wide range of creative
approaches, technology and techniques available to them in the television
production environment.
Provide an effective, industry based arena for students to develop abilities
and knowledge of the technical and artistic demands of the production and
post production crew within the television industry and through reflective
practice, to develop the appropriate production and technical skills
necessary for students to be able to progress to a career within Film and
Television.
To provide students with an advanced understanding of, and critical
awareness of, concepts and theoretical approaches in the study of technical
arts in film and television production and to integrate that with practical skills
through exercises and productions.
To develop a range of professional skills essential to production and post
production crew within location and studio environments, as well as related
channels of communication, as they increasingly demand flexible working
practices.

To enable students to explore and reflect on the practical
implications of working in this sector and to continuously evaluate
areas of personal strength and weakness.
11. Programme outcomes
A. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this programme
the successful student will have
knowledge and understanding of :
1. analytical concepts and methods of
enquiry appropriate to the study of
television technical arts, with an
appropriate technical vocabulary for
discussing the subject area
2.the demands of professional practice
in the production and post production
sector
3. the television production process
Teaching/learning methods
Students gain knowledge and
understanding through
Reflective analysis and constructive
criticism (offered by tutors and peers).
Lectures, seminar exercises and tutorials
Coursework assignments that include
research projects, essays and classroom
presentations.
Participation in class discussions and
exercises
Individual reading assignments.
(See Learning, Teaching and Assessment
Strategy for details.)
4.the television industry – past, present
and future
5. the primary television genres
6. conceive and develop relevant
approaches to delivering television
programmes across a variety of
genres.
Assessment Method
Students’
knowledge
understanding is assessed by:
and
The accuracy and quality of performance
and output
Reflective production logs
Staff-directed self-assessment
Coursework essays, research projects
and classroom presentation tasks.
(See Learning, Teaching and Assessment
Strategy for details)
B. Cognitive (thinking) skills
Teaching/learning methods
On completion of this programme
the successful student will be able
to:
Students learn cognitive skills
through:
1. constructing and managing
coherent arguments in speech and
writing
2. critically analyse relevant media
practices and acts of
communication, adopting a
systematic approach reflecting
current work in the television
technical arts.
Lectures, seminar exercises and
tutorials
Coursework essays, research
projects, and reflective production
logs
Classroom presentations and
discussion
Individual reading.
(See Learning, Teaching and
3. reflect, analyse and evaluate
their own performance of a given
role within a production team
4. evaluate arguments, analyses,
and theories, distinguishing
descriptive systems from the
phenomena they describe and from
interpretations of them
Assessment Strategy for details)
Assessment Method
Students’ cognitive skills are
assessed by
Written assignments - coursework
essays, research projects and other
forms of written work.
The presentation of technical and
artistically developed programme
delivery ideas, in a variety of different
ways.
Reflective Learning Logs
(See Learning, Teaching and
Assessment Strategy for details)
C. Practical skills
Teaching/learning methods
On completion of the programme
the successful student will be able
to:
Students learn practical skills through
1. communicate effectively via a
number of related media channels,
both in speech and writing
2. demonstrate professional
competency in a range of different
video and audio gathering and
post production equipment,
working confidently within both
single-camera and studio
production teams
3. collect, analyse, manipulate and
present evidence and data of
different kinds utilising relevant
broadcast technology.
4. develop own communicative
practice
Group practice (film and television
production) supported by skills
training workshops
Classroom and coursework exercises
which require related technical skills
(in production and post production).
Seminar exercises, tutorials, research
projects, classroom presentations,
discussions in class, individual
reading.
(See Learning, Teaching and
Assessment Strategy for details)
Assessment Method
Students’ practical skills are assessed
by observation of performance, final
output, reflective production logs,
coursework essays, research projects,
production paperwork and classroom
presentation tasks.
(See Learning, Teaching and
Assessment Strategy for details)
D. Graduate Skills
Teaching/learning methods
C. Practical skills
On completion of the programme
the successful student will be able
Students learn practical skills through
Group practice (film and television
production) supported by skills
to:
training workshops
1. communicate effectively via a
number of related media channels,
both in speech and writing
2. demonstrate professional
competency in a range of different
video and audio gathering and
post production equipment,
working confidently within both
single-camera and studio
production teams
3. collect, analyse, manipulate and
present evidence and data of
different kinds utilising relevant
broadcast technology.
4. develop own communicative
practice
Classroom and coursework exercises
which require related technical skills
(in production and post production).
Seminar exercises, tutorials, research
projects, classroom presentations,
discussions in class, individual
reading.
(See Learning, Teaching and
Assessment Strategy for details)
Assessment Method
Students’ practical skills are assessed
by observation of performance, final
output, reflective production logs,
coursework essays, research projects,
production paperwork and classroom
presentation tasks.
(See Learning, Teaching and
Assessment Strategy for details)
12. Programme structure (levels, modules, credits and progression
requirements)
12. 1 Overall structure of the programme
BA Film and Television Technical Arts is a full time single honours
programme, normally studied over three years. To complete the
programme successfully, students must gain a total of 360 credits,
including 220 credits at level two and above, of which 120 credits
are at level three.
Level 1
Students are required to take all four modules offered at level one,
each with a tariff weighting of 30 credits. Those who complete the
year successfully will therefore progress to their level two studies
with 120 credits.
The four modules at level one are:

Single Camera Production (TVP1530)

Multi-Camera Production (TVP1540)

Introduction to Film and Television Technical Arts Studies
(TVP1600)

Technologies and Practices in Television and Film Production
(TVP1900)
Level 2
Students take two modules each with a tariff weighting of 60 points
at level 2 and those who complete the year successfully will
therefore progress to their final year of study with a further 120
credits.
The two modules offered at level two are:

Production, Genre and Operation(TVP2160)

Post Production, Genre and Operation(TVP2170)
Level 3
Students are required to take both modules offered to them in their
final year of study. Each has a tariff-weighting of 60 credits. Those
who complete the year successfully will therefore progress with a
further 120 credits and all being well, graduate with a BA Honours
degree.
The two modules at level three are:

Final Project (TVP3100)

Proposition (TVP3110)
12.2 Levels and modules
Starting in academic year 2010/11 the University is changing the way it
references modules to state the level of study in which these are
delivered. This is to comply with the national Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications. This implementation will be a gradual
process whilst records are updated. Therefore the old coding is
bracketed below.
Level 4 (1)
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
Students must take all
of the following:
None
TVP1530(30 credits)
TVP1540(30 credits)
TVP1600(30 credits)
TVP1900(30 credits)
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must
achieve at least 120
credits in order to
progress to degreelevel work.
Level 5 (2)
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must take all
of the following:
Students must take two of
the following:
TVP2160 (60 credits)
TVP2170 (60 credits)
None
Students must complete
all of these modules
before graduating.
Level 6 (3)
There are two compulsory level three modules:
COMPULSORY
OPTIONAL
Students must take all of
the following:
None
PROGRESSION
REQUIREMENTS
TVP3100
(60 Credits)
TVP3110
(60 Credits)
13. A curriculum map relating learning outcomes to modules
See Curriculum Map attached
14. Information about assessment regulations
The degree conforms to Middlesex University Regulations at http://www.mdx.ac.uk/
regulations.
Self deferral is not allowed on any of the modules. Students seeking to defer
must consult the assessment administrator.
15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support
There is no formal work placement module on the degree. However,
the staff team actively support students in finding worthwhile work
experience and work shadowing opportunities.
The Proposition module at level 3 (TVP3110) gives students the
choice of gaining credit for work experience as part of their
assessment. A guest speaker programme that includes career
advice that is particular to the challenges that face new entrants
supports this.
In conjunction with the Careers unit at Middlesex University, this
module is preceded by lectures and workshops at level 1 and level
2, during which students investigate opportunities across the
industry, update CVs, prepare themselves for interview, and apply
for work experience.
Students are encouraged to arrange their own work experience in
order to equip themselves for the task of job seeking at the end of
their degree.
16. Future careers
BA Film and Television Technical Arts has been developed in
consultation with practitioners from the television industry with the
intention of providing students with an education that equips them
with the appropriate knowledge and skills required of new entrants
to the television and related industries.
Many graduates of the degree have gone on to establish a
successful career in television.
The degree provides students with an extensive knowledge-base
and a large number of industry-recognised skills relating to the
sector. The programme has been designed to comply with essential
standards as laid down by recognised industry bodies. The
qualification also facilitates reflection at all levels on personal
development in relation to progression, as well as intensive career
planning at level three.
The degree covers many forms and types of production that equips
students to work in a wide variety of industry contexts. There is a
strong emphasis on multi-skilling and contemporary development s
in production and distribution. The degree insists throughout on
flexible skills – team working, adaptability, independent-working –
which will be required in further career development.
It also prepares students to move to postgraduate level as the next
step in their career development where relevant.
17. Particular support for learning
Throughout the programme of study Film and Television Technical Arts offers
introductory, intermediate and advanced workshops to help with related technical
skills. This includes the operation of studio technologies within as-live and live multicamera studio productions across a range of programme types and addressing
technical and operational roles from lighting, camera and sound to vision mixing and
graphics . In single camera production this includes technical roles and their
techniques and approaches within fast turnaround news, documentary and drama
using contemporary approaches from camera, sound and lighting to post production
audio and editing equipment .
18. JACS code (or other relevant coding
system)
19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark
group(s)
135P30Z
Communication, Media, film
and Cultural Studies
20. Reference points
QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
QAA Codes of Practice
Middlesex University Regulations
Programme Validation Panel, External Examiners, Staff and Student Feedback
The Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries (Skillset) Guidelines
Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) Guidelines
Middlesex QE Handbook
OFCOM - http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/
BBC Editorial guidelines - http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/
Society of Television Lighting Directors - http://stld.co.uk/
Institute of Broadcast Sound - http://www.ibs.org.uk/
BECTU - http://www.bectu.org.uk/
Guild Of Vision Mixers - http://www.guildofvisionmixers.org.uk/
Guild of Television Cameramen - http://www.gtc.org.uk/
21. Other information
This programme ran for the first time in 2007 - 2008. Many of the practical projects
will be undertaken
Please note programme specifications provide a concise summary of the main
features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might
reasonably be expected to achieve if s/he takes full advantage of the learning
opportunities that are provided. More detailed information about the programme can
be found in the student programme handbook and the University Regulations.